Ancient wooden temples, raked-pebble Zen gardens and chanting Buddhist monks juxtapose with space-age towers, neon and bullet trains; Japan’s fascinating blend of old and new is legendary. As we explore the southern and western stretches of Honshu, Japan's largest island, we discover the country's unique culture amongst the serene shrines and gardens of Nara and Kyoto and the rarely visited mountainous heartland of castles and spas. Our last stop is the vast and futuristic capital city of Tokyo: sprawling, inimitably busy, welcoming and extraordinary.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Kyoto.

The trip starts in Kyoto, an atmospheric city set amidst beautiful hills. Those on the group flights from London will be met on arrival at Kansai Airport this evening and transferred to Kyoto.See more images and videos

2Day 2City tour including Zen gardens.

With over 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japan's cultural heritage and remains undoubtedly one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. Unlike many other Japanese towns it escaped the ravages of both the Second World War and modern urban development thereby keeping intact much of the spirit and architecture of traditional Japan. Today we have an introductory half day tour of the city, visiting the impressive Nijo castle, built in 1603 as a residence for the Tokugawa shoguns, and the famous Golden Temple of Kinkakuji, built in 1397 as a summer villa for the shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga and immortalised in Mishima Yukio's novel, 'The Golden Pavilion'. There will be time in the afternoon/evening for further individual sightseeing or resting back at the hotel.See more images and videos

3Day 3Day trip to Nara, ancient capital of Japan.

Today we make a day trip to the ancient capital of Nara, visiting among other things the Todaiji Great Buddha temple. Built in 752 by the Emperor Shomu this enormous bronze Buddha is housed in what is reputed to be the largest wooden building in the world. We also spend time in the Nara Koen Park, famous for its large numbers of overfed and slightly unruly deer, and visit the attractive Kasuga Shinto shrine, before returning to Kyoto in the late afternoon.

Today is a free day for further exploration of Kyoto - the city lends itself very well to walking and there are several well established and easy-to-follow walking tours that take in many of the more interesting sights. The eastern part of Kyoto is particularly rich in temples and gardens, and one can spend the day in this area, perhaps strolling along the tree-lined canal known as the Philosophers' Path and taking time out for contemplation in one of the many intriguing Zen gardens that dot the hillsides. This area is also home to the famous Gion entertainment district where it is still possible to catch sight of geisha girls scurrying along the cobbled streets to and from their appointments with the city's wealthy businessmen. There is also the option of visiting a cultural show to see some of Japan's ancient traditions such as the tea ceremony, flower arranging, Japanese theatre and puppetry.See more images and videos

5Day 5Day trip to Hiroshima; visit Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima.

Our first experience of Japan's 'bullet trains' as we speed our way to Hiroshima for the day. In the morning we make a short excursion by ferry to the beautiful island of Miyajima famous for the 'floating' torii (Shinto gate) of the Itsukushima-jinja Shrine. At high tide, when set against the backdrop of Mt Misen, this torii makes for one of the most beautiful and photogenic sights in Japan. In the afternoon we spend time at the A-Bomb museum and the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, both monuments to the fateful day in August 1945 when the city was selected as the target for the world's first wartime use of the atomic bomb. In the park burns a symbolic flame that will only be extinguished when the last nuclear weapon on earth has been destroyed. We return to Kyoto arriving in the evening.See more images and videos

6Day 6Kyoto to Takayama; afternoon sightseeing.

Travelling by train through forested valleys we make our way this morning to the peaceful and attractive old town of Takayama nestling sleepily in the centre of the majestic Hida Mountains. We spend two nights here and have plenty of time to appreciate the charm and ambience of this delightful place. In the afternoon we have the option of a visit to the Hida Folk Village, an interesting outdoor museum of traditional rural architecture set in pleasant landscaped gardens a short bus journey from the town centre. With the opportunity for short walks in the area, there is the chance to catch a glimpse of real Japanese rural life.See more images and videos

With over a dozen museums and galleries to suit all interests and several well-kept temples and parks, there are plenty of ways to spend a relaxing day in Takayama. A good way to start is to visit the morning market held daily along the banks of the Miyagawa River in the centre of town. Here amidst the friendly farmers with their familiar and not so familiar agricultural produce it is also possible to find some interesting souvenirs. Not so far away and of particular interest is the well-preserved collection of streets known as Sannomachi, where the many wooden built shops, restaurants and sake breweries give the area a medieval feel. For an insight into the life of medieval Japanese officials and the way they dealt, often not so compassionately, with those in their charge, a visit to the old Government House of Takayama-jinya is recommended. There is also an enjoyable walking tour of the town that takes in many of the more interesting sights.See more images and videos

Today we travel by express and local trains to the historic castle town of Matsumoto. Enroute, we visit the medieval village of Tsumago that has changed little from its heyday as a post town in the Edo period. This is the best preserved of the many staging posts along the old Nakasendo Way, which fulfils the same role it did in centuries past - offering food and refuge to travellers. Those who wish can visit the impressive Matsumoto castle (optional). Founded in 1504, this castle, otherwise known as Crow Castle due to its black colour, is one of the two best preserved in Japan, most others having been destroyed following the Meiji Restoration. Its imposing six story donjon has been designated a national treasure. Tonight we stay in a ryokan, an authentic Japanese style hotel, situated on a hill just outside of town. As well as providing fine views of the Japanese Alps, the ryokan is also home to a therapeutic hot spring which is believed to cure bathers of the symptoms of various ailments.See more images and videos

9Day 9Travel by train to spa town of Yudanaka; explore the mountainous countryside and soak in a hot spring.

This morning, we return to Matsumoto train station for our afternoon journey to Nagano, stopping off on our way at the nearby town of Obuse where there is a small museum (optional) devoted to perhaps Japan's best-known artist, Hokusai Katsushika. Hokusai is particularly famous for his many woodblock pictures of Mt Fuji as well as some more risquï¿½ cartoons! We continue by minibus to the relaxing spa town of Yudanaka, where we spend a night in a ryokan. Here, as well as enjoying a soak in a hot spring bath made of Japanese cypress, we may also be given a demonstration in the art of kyudo (Japanese archery) by the ryokan owner.See more images and videos

10Day 10See the famous Snow Monkeys before travelling by train to Tokyo.

As well as being home to some of Japan's best hot springs, Yudanaka is a great place from which to do some hiking in the hills. Of particular interest is the Jigokudani Onsen or 'Snow Monkey Park' (optional). Here, the indigenous macaque monkeys have discovered the benefits of descending from the hills to soak and play in hot baths - observing their behaviour up close is fascinating! This is the only tribe of monkeys anywhere in the world to bath in hot springs for warmth. Also worth a visit are the Shigu Heights, and the Heavy Snow Mansion. No visit to Japan would be complete without a trip to Tokyo, and this afternoon we travel to the capital by mini-bus and bullet train, arriving in the early evening. On arrival in we transfer to our hotel, where we can start exploring the bright lights of the big city

Today is the last day we can use the Japanese Rail Pass, which entitles us to free train journeys to many destinations, and so it has been left free for independent exploration. Nikko National Park and Mt Fuji are both easily accessible from Tokyo. Nikko, approximately an hour and a half away, has a wonderful natural setting, and for centuries has been a sacred site known for its incredible temples and shrines, including the magnificent Toshogu Shrin
e. Mt Fuji is one of the world's most photographed mountains. A dormant volcano, it is also Japan's highest and most famous peak. Shrines and temples cover the slopes and the mountain itself is prolific in Japanese art and literature. By train it is approximately two and a half hours from Tokyo.
For those not wishing to leave Tokyo, this day is free to soak up the atmosphere of this truly astounding city. Whilst being perhaps the most exciting, energetic and futuristic city in the world, for a capital, Tokyo still remains a remarkably friendly, safe, manageable and fascinating place to visit.See more images and videos

12Day 12A full day city tour of Tokyo including the Senso-ji Temple.

Today we have a full day tour of Tokyo. Making use of the city's highly efficient tube system we can visit Tokyo's high-rise area of Shinjuku and the mammoth Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, as well as the lively Senso-ji Temple in the old entertainment district of Asakusa. The possibilities for evening entertainment are almost limitless with Tokyo's nightlife as exciting as anywhere in Asia.

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

2 breakfasts and 2 dinners

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Japan Rail Pass

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request)

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels & Ryokans

On this trip we spend 9 nights in comfortable hotels with en-suite rooms and 4 nights in ryokans (traditional Japanese guesthouses).

Ryokans, though characterful and comfortable, are not always comparable to western hotels. Beds usually consist of futons and bathroom facilities are usually shared. There may be occasions where the ryokans require two clients to share a room, and therefore we are unable to offer single supplements for the nights spent outside Kyoto and Tokyo.

A single room can be booked for the 9 nights' hotel accommodation in Kyoto and Tokyo only for a single supplement of £515.00 (US$980), subject to availability. Elsewhere a single room may be available locally on payment of a supplement but, as some of the ryokans used are quite small, this cannot be guaranteed.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
Most nationalities do not require a visa to visit Japan. Australian and South African passport holders do require a visa; these will usually be issued on arrival but it is worth verifying this at your embassy before travel.
There are no specific health risks. Holiday style

This is very much cultural trip, which attempts to encompass the varying aspects of Japan, from the serenity and history of Kyoto to the extraordinary and modern Tokyo. It is not a strenuous trip, but you will be expected to carry your own bags on and off the trains and a degree of fitness is preferable, as visiting many of the sights inevitably entails a decent amount of walking. Japanese trains are extremely efficient, and therefore it is essential that all group members are punctual to ensure we do not miss any trains.

Eating & drinking

2 breakfasts and 2 dinners included.

Most meals are not included in the price of the trip, and you should allow around GBP30-40 a day to cover the cost of food and drink. It is possible to eat more cheaply than this, or to spend considerably more, depending on the standard of restaurant chosen. In many of the places we visit there are restaurants available to cater for all tastes and pockets and it is generally very easy to enjoy every aspect of Japan's excellent cuisine either as a group or on your own.

Please note if you are a vegan or strict vegetarian (i.e. you do not eat fish or seafood) the choice of Japanese food in restaurants may be more limited, and vegetable dishes are quite likely to be prepared in the same oil or pans as seafood or meat. In Kyoto there are a number of restaurants which specialise in the strictly vegan 'Shojin Ryori' (temple food). It may be a good idea to bring with you some foodstuffs that you normally consume, or to supplement meals with snacks purchased in the local convenience stores.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Japan has four very distinct seasons. Our aim has been to avoid the extremely cold winters and humid summers and settle for the more pleasant climes of spring and autumn. In Tokyo, September and October are warm, maximum temperatures are 26°C and minimum 12°C. September is likely to be the warmer of the two and there is a likelihood of rain. April is cooler with temperatures possibly going as low as 7°C with a high of 17°C. Kyoto is very similar climatically to Tokyo but the higher up into the mountains we venture, the colder it will become with nights being especially cold, particularly in April.

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Reviews & community

Our trip was two weeks of non-stop fun and adventure - I enjoyed the time spent in both the cities and the mountains. Japan surprised me in so many ways -- the politeness of the people, the speed and efficiencies of the RR system, the beauty of the mountains, the throngs of people in Tokyo, the majesty of its shrines and temples, and the rich traditons best seen in Kyoto. I was not disappointed by anything.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I had several inspirational moments, but the two that stood out the most was our visit to Hiroshima and our walk through the bamboo forest in Kyoto (it had a zen feel to it).

What did you think of your group leader?

Yuri was fantastic -- she did a great job keeping 16 different personalities happy and on the same page. She was very organized and made it look easy, but that was due to a lot of behind-the-scenes work on her part. She also handled a difficult situation very deftly. It was fun traveling with her!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared to walk quite a bit -- the walking was very pleasant and enjoyable, but more (including navigating your way through the train stations) than indicated in the trip notes.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A diverse itinerary from temples to snow monkeys, geishas and locals in stunning kimonos, relaxing onsens, castles and other historic areas, rural settings and Tokyo illuminated at night

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The tranquility of japanese gardens, quality of food, cleanliness, meticulous organisation and punctuality of public transport, warm friendly hospitality.

What did you think of your group leader?

Chiko Hansen was amazing and escorted us to places such as Fushimi Inari Taisha and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove from Kyoto (as featured in the movie 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. She gave me a schedule of train times from Takayama to go to Kanazawa to Kenrokuen garden which was amazing and a schedule to make my way back to Kyoto after stopping off at Himeji castle (featured in 007 film 'You Only Live Twice' after the day at Hiroshima. She introduced the group to a wide array of delicious japanese food.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

As I read in a previous review it pays to do some research on what possibilities are available on free days. If you stay at the Hotel Metropolitan in Tokyo, I highly recommend the Est restaurant offering fine dining with a European (mainly french) set menu. Also in Tokyo the New Otani hotel has an amazing japanese garden with waterfall and huge koi and offers various dining options.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Make sure you have comfortable hard wearing slip on shoes as lots of walking involved. English translation was widely available and as a solo traveller sometimes doing things independently was not as daunting as I had expected.

Another excellent trip from Exodus, lots of train journeys of all sorts were part of the fun. Japanese onsen were great fun.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

A difficult question to answer, Japan is culturally so different to the UK that there was something different at every turn. Hiroshima was a very moving experience.

What did you think of your group leader?

Chiko was an excellent tour leader, providing additional guiding not part of the tour itinerary for the group on free days as well as details on excursions for those wanting to do additional trips alongside the itinerary.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Japan is not as expensive as the guidance in the trip notes suggest, entrance fees not covered by the tour price were typically much lower than you might expect to pay in the UK and eating out was not as expensive either.

Tim was lucky enough to have his first travels sponsored by the taxpayer when his year of 'research' in Peru as part of his Latin American Studies degree turned into 12 months travelling the length of South America before returning home with a shoddy dissertation, a great suntan and a real passion for seeing the world! He now manages Exodus trips to Peru and Argentina (as well as the Picos de Europa and Japan) and still loves Latin America as much as he did after the first visit.

Prior to life in the Exodus office Jim made his living teaching outdoor education in Cornwall, progressing into guiding during the British winter and moving out to Tanzania around the turn of the millenium. It is here that Jim joined Exodus leading many of our groups on Africa's highest mountains, before escaping away in the rainy seasons to destinations like Nepal and Japan. Now 'Head of Product' Jim is responsible for keeping Exoduss range of experiences at the forefront of adventure travel.

Questions about your trip

What kind of luggage is best for Japan?

Its best to take luggage that you can carry easily on this trip because you will be need to be able to carry it on and off trains quickly. A rucksack or soft hold all would be ideal for this trip.

Dan Cockburn - Product Manager

Anything I shouldn't miss in Japan?

If you get a chance to make it to a sumo match, take it - it's usually the highlight of a lot of peoples trips! Also, when at the ryokan, don't be shy about the communal baths!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

I've never tried Japanese food - will I cope?!

Japan is famous for its cuisine, in fact they now have more Michelin stars than France! There is such a variety when it comes to food, your leader will make sure you try as much as possible, from simple noodle dishes, to delicate dumplings, colourful sushi and tempura, to the more obscure seafood dishes that Japan produces.

Rebecca Caldicott - Japan Operations

How should I take money to Japan?

It’s best to take Yen with you, which you can either get before you travel or at the airport. I would avoid taking travelers cheques as they are often difficult to change in Japan. Japan is very much a cash based society, so its best to take as much money in cash as possible. There are a few ATM machines that will accept western cards.

Rebecca Caldicott - Japan Operations

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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